NEA Guidelines on Noise level at Construction Site

For those
who complain to NEA on the noise level at the construction site,
here is NEA's standard reply.

2 We are sorry to
learn of your unpleasant experiences on noise from the construction
activities at the above sites. We also apologise for the delay in
responding to you as we are monitoring the situation at the sites
for a longer period.

3 The National
Environment Agency (NEA) controls construction noise using a set of
maximum permissible noise limits stipulated under the Environmental
Protection and Management (Control of Noise at Construction Sites)
Regulations. The allowable noise limits are more stringent for the
night time (10.00pm to 7.00am) and on weekends than the noise
limits for the daytime during weekdays. The noise limits are
also more stringent for premises that are more sensitive to noise
disturbances, e.g. hospital, home for the aged, schools and
residential areas.

4 Construction
companies are required to take noise abatement measures and manage
their works to comply with the noise limits. However,
the Regulations do not restrict the working hours for the
contractor at the construction
site.

6 The contractor
responsibles for the project at the above worksite has installed
two real time noise monitoring equipment at the nearest buildings
to the site, to measure the noise levels generated from the
construction works on a continuous basis. NEA would monitor and
check the noise reports continuously for non-compliance. The
contractor at the site had been fined $5,000.00 for causing loud
noise exceeded the permissible noise limit in Mar
2010.

7 Notwithstanding the above,
we have required the contractor to implement necessary measures to
further minimise causing noise nuisance to neighbouring residents,
especially at night and during weekends. NEA will continue to
monitor the construction site closely and will take another stern
enforcement actions against the contractor should he carry out
works that generate noise exceeding the permissible noise limits
again.

8 If you need further
clarification or would like to provide feedback on the noise
situation at the construction site, please call NEA hotline at
1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632).